Amnesia Rockfest 2013 Controversy

"Piss River" at Rockfest 2013

Incompetent security and "cesspool" ruins weekend of fun

It looks as if Amnesia Rockfest 2013 really messed up this year, and the people who bought their tickets are voicing their concern. This article is based on public opinion and not the opinion of CJLO 1690 AM. We spoke with those who attended the weekend festival and we are quoting their words and experiences. Understandably, most of them did not want to use their full names, but we thank them for their feedback nonetheless.

According to the majority of concert goers security was awful, barely present, and guards had no idea what they were doing. Cathy V. believes the fest was chaotic because security was non-existent. "For the 'security' it's more about letting people bring in fireworks and shooting them in the crowd that could have gotten people hurt. There was also a guy that wrote about getting wailed on by another dude for no fucking reason and there was no security to back him up. When we left the first night, some moron dragged down the fence on the way out and it fucking fell on people... So I'm not saying we need more... but it would have been nice to have some compared to none." Cathy V. adds that the entire event was chaotic and it seemed as though everyone in charge was absent or clueless. "The complete disorganization of the first day was ridiculous. No actual 'lines' for the ticket booths, I heard some people that arrived at noon only got their bracelets at 3 pm. We showed up at 2 pm and waited in line for an hour before a security guard stood in the mess and started taking tickets and handing out bracelets. There was zero security except at the gate entrances. I love that they (Rockfest organizers) said we couldn't bring outside items, but I could have brought a flask and gotten in with no problem..."

Ally M., however, disagrees. She thinks people are focusing too much on the negative and says she had a fun time minus the long lines, mud and bathroom issues. "Sometimes more security causes more problems... It felt great to be in a place that people just kind of took over the town and yet there was no real violence or anger. I think people get too caught up in complaining. This was a huge year, next year will probably be better. It's a PUNK ROCK FESTIVAL not a governor's ball; it's going to be dirty. It was an experience. I think it delivered. Just needs a little more organizing."

Elizabeth D. thinks security needs to be a number one priority when it comes to outdoor festivals like Rockfest. "I think security is very important at any big festival. I remember way back in 1994 there were reports of women being raped at Woodstock's 25th anniversary festival. With all the camping going down at Rockfest, there should be patrols to, hopefully, prevent bad stuff like that [from] happening."

Long lineups were another source of frustration for audience members. Apparently the lines to enter festival grounds were so long that some fans missed out on seeing their favorite bands. Shuttle buses for camp zones four and five were tardy and at times no shows. This resulted in people being stranded at 2 am with no way back to their campsite. Also, an unfortunate lack of porta potties created what people are calling "Piss River" within the concert gates. Not to mention the smell emanating from campsites can only be blamed on the excess of fecal matter swelling from the mere six porta potties available per site. A camper from zone three told us that the porta potties were overflowing so much that people had to crouch over a mountain of feces in order to go to the bathroom. Late in the night, campers had no choice but to squat next to the porta potties because going inside was too repulsive. One camper, who wishes to remain anonymous, added that she could not believe what she was witnessing. "I woke up in the morning and I felt like I was in some third-world refugee camp! Can you believe I paid money for this?"

It seems that everyone is jumping on the anger bandwagon, calling Rockfest disorganized, unsupervised, unsanitary and unpleasant.

The interesting thing about all this is that if you go on the Rockfest Facebook page you'll find only positive comments. "I swear that I've have left critical comments but they were deleted! What's up with that?" Mike H. says he and his friends complained about site conditions and how late the shuttle bus was. He expected at least a reply or apology. "I go to check how many other people are bitching about the weekend and guess what, my comment is gone and all I see are good ones like: great fest can't wait until next year. Are they really trying to cover this all up...?" If Rockfest organizers are trying to stay on the down low, they aren't doing a very good job at it. Rumor has it that the fest may face a class action lawsuit, but no confirmation as been announced just yet. Rockfest founder Alex Martel is not doing any press at the moment and has made no comments concerning the ordeal.

Jenn E. says she's been to plenty of outdoor festivals and never has she experienced anything as hectic as Rockfest. "It was a zoo, and even a zoo is too tame by comparison. I mean, I have a lot of positives about how nice everyone was crowd-wise, minus the guy who tried to fight me. But they have no first aid on sight, God forbid anyone had heat stroke. But I know of multiple injuries that could not be seen, I hated the lack of security, the entrance and exit was a shit show. The shit on the ground was a shit show. I'm mainly happy with the lineup, and the actually moderately affordable food, and selection. Otherwise, my overall experience was negative. I'd rather see warped tour come back with such a line up, rather than ever have to deal with that place. The people of Montebello were fabulous, but I'm disappointed by the lack of professionalism from the concert organizers."

--Abby Schachter is a freelance journalist and host of The Reaktor (Fridays at 2 PM EST on CJLO). Follow Abby on Tumblr.